UTMB partners with Texas Health and Human Services Commission to present at national conference

UTMB partnered with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to share 1115 Waiver progress at a national forum sponsored by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 6–9.

In its role as anchor for a region comprising 16 counties (representing 83 projects) under the Texas 1115 Transformation Waiver, UTMB presented a storyboard titled, “Transforming the Safety Net in Texas” at the 2015 National Forum on Quality Improvement in Health Care. The annual event brought together thousands of health care professionals for the sharing of ideas and best practices.

UTMB and HHSC shared improvements to date implemented under the waiver that impact access to care and quality patient outcomes, as well as the effects of implementing innovative best practices in the health care community. This was the first time HHSC has partnered with a regional anchor to present at a national conference on health care innovation.

“It was such a great feeling to showcase our regional work and statewide collaboration related to the Texas 1115 Waiver to an international audience at IHI’s annual conference,” said Craig Kovacevich, UTMB’s associate vice president for Waiver Operations and Community Health Plans. “True to IHI’s mission and philosophy, the work UTMB has done as an anchor and performing provider under the waiver has encouraged partnerships with visionaries, leaders and front-line practitioners to seek and implement inventive ways to improve the health of individuals and populations.”